NCJ Number
75510
Date Published
1974
Length
64 pages
Annotation
This report presents designs for evaluation of three juvenile justice programs in Alabama. Two of the proposed designs use a multiple regression technique which provides information about relationships between variables and their relative importance in predicting outcomes.
Abstract
The designs are intended for evaluation of the Alabama State Training School for Girls, the counseling program for the Southeast Alabama Youth Service Center, and the proposed Lawrence County Juvenile Court Foster Home. It is intended that the data collection processes detailed here be maintained routinely, and that analysis and summary of findings be performed annually. Designs for the first two programs make use of a multiple regression technique, since a sufficient number of clients makes possible a multivariate design. The first program, which has facilities to house 98 girls, is the only State institution for delinquent girls. Ten predictor variables on which the design for the evaluation of this program is based, are discussed. They include both personality and situational subgroups within the total population. Three criterion variables (recidivism to court, personal and situational adjustment) used in the design are also discussed. Direct information by which it can be concluded that a program does or does not work cannot be obtained from the design but it does assess the relative importance of factors other than the immediate program outcome. The second program fosters delinquency prevention and increased community involvement on the part of its teen-age clientele. Designs proposed to evaluate the program include a multiple regression to study nine predictor variables determining counseling outcome, to provide information concerning the characteristics of the clients and the counseling process, and to compare the counseled group with other juveniles on probation. The third program is a project proposed to provide community-based care for teenagers Since the house is intended for only six children, it is recommended that the data analyses involve simple calculations to be done annually by a consultant with training in the analysis of social science research. Four appendixes include the description of the suggested measure of offense seriousness for the use in the evaluation of the first program, forms to be used for the data collection for all three programs, and the occupational status index. References are included.